STOP Chevron and the Police abuse in PUNGESTI, Romania

Why this is important

Pungesti, Romania, a village under SIEGE after a violent
intervention of Riot Police Forces, requested by CHEVRON

Call for International support – December, 2nd, 2013 / Addressed to The European
Parliament, The European Commission, to The Subcommittee on Human Rights of the
European Parliament and to all #humanrigts NGOs that can monitor and act
NOW on this attack.

After facing strong opposition from local community and from
a strong national movement of support, Chevron had to scale down activities in
Pungesti. At least until last night,
when the assault started around 6 AM!

The riot police and CHEVRON joined forces to dismantle the
local resistance group camped across the road from the field where
Chevron plans to explore for shale gas, using hydraulic fracturing. After 2
months of resistance, 40 people were beaten, arrested and taken to the nearest
town for further investigations. The Spokesperson from the Riot Police did not
come out with a statement until much later and denied any abuse, while the riot
police officers prevented the people from filming and recording the
intervention. Media representatives do
not have access to the site, and the road to Pungesti is blocked by Chevron
equipment and Police intervention cars.

Children cannot go to school at this point. The life of the
entire community has been severely disrupted. The road is also blocked for anyone
else, the villagers cannot go to work and the press is kept kilometers away
from Pungesti. All this was planned in detail by the local authorities, the
Police and Chevron in order to help the company install it’s shale gas
exploring equipment on the site despite prior official statement from Chevron
country manager Tom Holst to halt any activity until the community agrees with
the project. The same equipment will be
used for the exploitation phase as well.

This abusive intervention is without precedent in a
democratic Romania and it follows two months of continuous harassment and
intimidation of the local community. It is an irresponsible, dangerous attack
on human and civil rights, as recognized worldwide. All this is happening a day
after the Romania National Day, in a context of large 3 months nationwide (and
international) protests against fracking and cyanide use in Romania.

Please spread the news and help us rise awareness on this
difficult situation in Romania. Wherever you may be. Contact your representatives
and ask them to act immediately against this abusive behavior of the Romanian
authorities against the people.

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https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/All_humanrigts_NGOs_that_can_monitor_and_act_NOW_on_this_attack_Save_the_village_of_Pungesti_Romania_from_fracking_and_a/?fbdm